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Understanding what limits the voltage of polycrystalline CdSeTe solar cells

Author

Listed:
  • Arthur Onno

    (Arizona State University)

  • Carey Reich

    (Colorado State University)

  • Siming Li

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Adam Danielson

    (Colorado State University)

  • William Weigand

    (Arizona State University)

  • Alexandra Bothwell

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Sachit Grover

    (First Solar Inc.)

  • Jeff Bailey

    (First Solar Inc.)

  • Gang Xiong

    (First Solar Inc.)

  • Darius Kuciauskas

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Walajabad Sampath

    (Colorado State University)

  • Zachary C. Holman

    (Arizona State University)

Abstract

The origin of voltage deficits in polycrystalline cadmium selenide telluride (CdSeTe) solar cells is unclear. Here, we present a comprehensive voltage loss analysis performed on state-of-the-art CdSeTe devices—fabricated at Colorado State University and First Solar—using photoluminescence techniques, including external radiative efficiency (ERE) measurements. More specifically, we report the thermodynamic voltage limit Voc,ideal, internal voltage iVoc and external voltage Voc of partially and fully finished cells fabricated with different dopant species, dopant concentrations and back contacts. Arsenic-doped aluminium-oxide-passivated cells made at Colorado State University present remarkably high ERE (>1%)—translating into iVoc above 970 mV—but suffer from poor back-contact selectivity. On the other hand, arsenic-doped devices from First Solar present almost perfect carrier selectivity (Voc = iVoc), leading to Voc above 840 mV, and are limited by recombination in various parts of the device. Thus, development of contact structures that are both passivating and selective in combination with highly luminescent absorbers is key to reducing voltage losses.

Suggested Citation

  • Arthur Onno & Carey Reich & Siming Li & Adam Danielson & William Weigand & Alexandra Bothwell & Sachit Grover & Jeff Bailey & Gang Xiong & Darius Kuciauskas & Walajabad Sampath & Zachary C. Holman, 2022. "Understanding what limits the voltage of polycrystalline CdSeTe solar cells," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(5), pages 400-408, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:7:y:2022:i:5:d:10.1038_s41560-022-00985-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-022-00985-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Deng-Bing Li & Sandip S. Bista & Rasha A. Awni & Sabin Neupane & Abasi Abudulimu & Xiaoming Wang & Kamala K. Subedi & Manoj K. Jamarkattel & Adam B. Phillips & Michael J. Heben & Jonathan D. Poplawsky, 2022. "20%-efficient polycrystalline Cd(Se,Te) thin-film solar cells with compositional gradient near the front junction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Artem Musiienko & Fengjiu Yang & Thomas William Gries & Chiara Frasca & Dennis Friedrich & Amran Al-Ashouri & Elifnaz Sağlamkaya & Felix Lang & Danny Kojda & Yi-Teng Huang & Valerio Stacchini & Robert, 2024. "Resolving electron and hole transport properties in semiconductor materials by constant light-induced magneto transport," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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